Today's post 1940s Jewelry Styles and Trends to Wear from VintageDancer.com.
1944, amethyst costume jewelry by Corocraft
Following on from vintage jewelry styles of the 1930s, this article shall examine popular 1940s jewelry styles and trends. In order to add that finishing touch to a 1940s inspired outfit, highlighted are some vintage reproduction jewelry styles available to buy today.
The most prolific factor during this decade was of course the Second World War. The popular geometric shapes and deco styles of the previous decade had been set aside. This was the time for new materials and styles to be explored.
1940s Jewelry: Bakelite Plastics
This Pepsi ad woman is wearing a green necklace, possibly made of Bakelite or Catalin plastic
Early plastics started to grow in popularity at the start of the 20th century. Celluloid – a plastic derived from plant cells, was used in jewelry production as early as the late 1800s.
However, the most popular plastic of the period was Bakelite. Developed in 1907, the material became immensely popular in the 1930s and 1940s. The bright attractive colors, coupled with the equally attractive low price point made Bakelite jewelry accessible to all.
Catalin, another early plastic, became equally popular during this time. Marbled effects and translucent hues produced in Catalin rivaled the shades available in Bakelite.
1940s Jewelry: Bangles
Bangles enjoyed a surge in popularity during the late 1930s through to the 1940s. It became the fashion to adorn the arms with a stack of various colored bangles .
A popular way of incorporating color into an outfit was through the use of bangles.
As these were made from early plastics, they were often relatively inexpensive to purchase. Therefore, this enabled consumers to buy a whole host of bangles, to wear as many or as few as they wished.
1940s Jewelry Styles: Bracelets
1944, a popular trend for teens was to wear one or many charm bracelets or ID bracelets
The two most popular styles of bracelets in the ’40s were identification bracelets and charm bracelets. ID bracelets were a thin metal chain with a metal rectangle attached in the center. Both gold and silver were used, but a gold tone was more popular. The center plate would have the person’s name engraved on it, often in cursive-style writing.
Charm bracelets and necklaces, 1940s
Charm bracelets were a thin gold or silver chain, more often silver, with different charms attached at intervals – women and girls collected the charms to fill up their bracelets. They could be anything from flowers and animals to lucky horseshoes and clovers. Bells, hearts and household items were also made into charms. Charms could be used to show off the personality and likes of the wearer.
1940s Jewelry: Beaded Necklaces
My vintage 1940s blue bead necklace
Chunky bead and chain necklace. Probably in red, white and blue for Victory!
To finish an outfit or to pick out a particular color, beaded necklaces in bold hues were worn. These necklaces were not worn as long as the previous decade. 1940s necklaces usually rested just above the neckline of clothing or down 16 inches (to mid-chest).
Bead necklaces for daytime could be in a variety of shapes, but many were round beads chained together. Many resembled pearls (or could be real pearls).
Ava Garden wearing multiple strands of pearls
Beads used for necklaces were usually large. Strands of smaller beads could be braided together as well. Multiple-stranded bead necklaces were also popular. Beads could be plastic, Lucite or glass and were available in any and every color.
Add a pop of color to your vintage inspired outfit with a bead necklace.
1940s style bead necklace at modcloth
1940s Jewelry Styles: Novelty Shapes
Haskel jewelry ad featuring clusters of olives
The hardships of the decade produced a counter-response in the form of amusing novelty prints and jewelry. As a result of this, many designs were made into a novelty pins or brooches. Horses, hands, hats, pencils, and lips were all popular designs. In addition, even pins with jointed movable parts were worn.
Make your outfit stand out with novelty jewelry.
Original pieces are now highly collectible, with some selling for incredible prices.
These horse brooches by Mrs Polly’s Lucite are perfect reproductions of vintage designs.
Luckily a variety of vintage reproduction designs are available, offering just as much wit and whimsy.
1940s Jewelry Styles: Patriotic
1945 Cartier “V” brooches. V stands for Victory, a common word and symbol during the war
Almost partnering hand-in-hand with the novelty trend, was the vogue for patriotic jewelry. Designs of red, white and blue were popular, as were aeroplanes, propeller shapes and stars. Young women often wore military insignia pins given to them as presents by their soldier boyfriends stationed overseas.
Carmen Miranda wears a set of patriotic pins in ‘The Gang’s All Here’.
It was extremely important to keep morale up, and to keep spirits high. The trend for novelty and patriotic clothing, accessories and jewelry in some small way helped to do this.
This Aeroplane pin by Mrs Polly’s Lucite is a lovely reproduction of patriotic styles.
1940s Jewelry Styles: Handmade
People were encouraged to ‘Make do and Mend’ due to austerity restrictions. This attitude soon spread to clothing and accessories, with many garments being re-fashioned in order to get the most wear out of them.
Women modelling crochet necklaces in ‘Make and Mend’, 1942
Felt flower brooches were a popular and relatively easy way to accessorize an outfit. The material itself cost little, and a batch could be sewn-up in an evening.
Dress up your lapels with this felt flower pin by 1940s Style For You.
Necklaces were being made from crochet, detachable collars with delicate embroideries were also made. This was the decade of resourcefulness, and as such many new ideas and styles emerged.
1940s Costume Jewelry: Vermeil Gold
Vermeil, meaning gold plated was the most common base for affordable costume jewelry in the 1940s
Vermeil is a base of silver which is then plated with gold, giving a warm golden finish. Due to austerity restrictions during this decade, vermeil became a popular choice for costume jewelry.
The idea of vermeil was that it gave the appearance of being gold, when of course it was merely coated with a very thin layer of gold.
Tip: 1940s costume jewelry is very plentiful and cheap to buy. For even more affordable options shop around Christmas time. Many new clothing department stores carry an assortment of costume jewelry that looks 1940s.
1945 Corocraft jewelry in gold
1940s Jewelry: Bib Necklaces
Heavy bib necklace and earring set worn by
As costume jewelry designs were getting larger and bolder, so too were the methods on how to display them. Bib necklaces became popular. This design enabled the focus to be on the center front of the necklace. Matching earrings were also oversized.
Flower bib necklace. perfect 1940s style at Charming Charlie.
Cascades of beads or shapes drew the attention to the neckline. Some of these necklaces featured multiple strands of beads, all situated at differing levels.
Charlotte Greenwood wears a bib necklace in ‘The Gang’s All Here’, 1943. Here are a great selection of modern styles, perfect for creating a vintage look.
The bib necklace was a bolder version of the beaded necklace. This design usually featured more than one strand of beads.
1940s Jewelry Trends: Nature
1944 Coro Jewelry of colored flowers, animals, insects
Natural shapes and forms continued in popularity during the 1940s. Feathers, birds, leaves and insects were all utilized in costume jewelry designs. These designs were often made using glass rhinestones for sparkle at low cost.
Nature was again a source of inspiration in jewelry design during the 1940s.
Pins and brooches adorning lapels grew in size. Costume jewels allowed consumers the freedom to experiment with styles at an affordable price.
1940s Jewelry Trends: Flowers
1940s Flower Jewelry brooch and bracelet
Botanical shapes have remained a popular choice in jewelry design for centuries. From the late 1930s onwards, floral forms started to become more exuberant.
Accessorize your 1940s inspired outfit with these floral jewelry pieces.
One of the most noted jewelry designers of this period is Miriam Haskell. Haskell worked with designer Frank Hess up until the 1960s, producing beautiful botanical designs. Her clients and fans included Joan Crawford, Lucille Ball and the Duchess of Windsor.
These floral earrings by Plasticland are great for adding a finishing touch to a vintage inspired outfit.
1944, Charming flowers make the perfect earrings
Miriam Haskell pieces are distinguishable by the use of textural layering, bright unusual color combinations and bold shapes.
Today, Haskell’s pieces are highly collectible and sought after. However, many vintage reproduction pieces are available, which perfectly incorporate the style of the period.
Floral bracelet by Sofia’s Garden. A perfect example of vintage inspired 1940s floral jewelry.
1940s Jewelry Trends: Fruit And Vegetables
Alongside flowers, fruits were a fashionable choice for costume jewelry designs. Cherries were among the most popular, but other fruits were also favored. Bananas, pears, grapes and oranges all featured. Vegetables shapes were also utilized, with carrots, sweet corn and peppers all being employed in designs.
Fruit shapes add a touch of whimsy to your 1940s inspired outfit.
Some of these styles were produced in early plastic, others were carved from wood than painted.
These orange blossom earrings by Sofia’s Garden are so pretty. Perfect for adding a touch of color and charm to a 1940s outfit.
Fruit jewelry was a trade-mark of the singer and movie star Carmen Miranda. Carmen provided much-needed light hearted entertainment during this decade. She starred in movies such as ‘The Gang’s All Here’ 1943, ‘Down Argentine Way’ 1940 and ‘Springtime in the Rockies’ 1942. Many of Carmen’s costumes were designed and made by herself, and have since become iconic to many.
Fruit decoration featuring prominently in the 1945 movie ‘State Fair’.
1940s Jewelry Fashion: The MacArthur Heart Pin
The most popular heart pin of the 1940s was the MacArthur key to my heart pin. Made from Bakelite, the pin stood as a symbol. It represented patriotism, hope, unity and love. The pin gained popularity from being prominently featured on the cover of ‘Life’ magazine in 1941.
A great selection of vintage inspired heart jewelry available today.
Hearts also featured in necklaces and bracelets, often paired with arrows or key designs.
Reproduction Keys to My Heart on etsy.com by ThePinkBungaloo
1940s Fashion Jewelry: Evening Styles
In the most formal settings jewelry stayed with the white on white theme of the 1930s but grew bigger and heavier. Rhinestones and pearls were especially popular. They could be worn separately but often mixed too.
1946, rhinestone and pearl choker necklace and large bracelet. Pearl and rhinestone cluster.
Vera Zorina, 1944 evening jewelry- heavy rhinestone brooch, ring and earrings
Full color gem jewelry was also common in evening wear in the late 1940s. Bette Davis.
Pearl and rhinestone bracelet. Perfect for 1940s evening wear.
Key Styles of the 1940s
New Materials – Most notably Bakelite, Catalin, Wood, Shells, Vermeil
Novelty Designs and Patriotism
Make do and Mend
Fruits and Flowers
Large gold plated
Shop 1940s Style Jewelry
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